For the first time in five tries, Lorena Ochoa came out the victor in a playoff.  She made up three shots over the last two holes to tie In-Kyung Kim, with an eagle on the 17th hole and a four foot par miss on the final hole by Kim.  On the second playoff Ochoa made a par to capture the Championship and set herself up for the US Women’s Open next week. 

"It was a really good thing — not the beginning of the day but the end of the day," Ochoa said. "I just never lost my hope."  On the front nine Ochoa missed six makable putts, including three lip-outs.  At the 12th she missed a 12 foot par putt, birdied 13, then missed from 5 ft on 14 for a bogey.  At 17 she knocked in a 12 footer for eagle, made par at the 18th to catch Kim and close with a 73.

Kim finished with an even par 72. "I can cry right now but I’m not going to cry for this," Kim said. "I played really tight with the No. 1 player and I’ll take that experience. Next time I’m never going to let it go." She can also look back at steady improvement since missing the cut in four of her first six events.  She’s made the weekend in her last six events. She certainly impressed me, hanging very tough until the very end.  A tip of my cap to Ms. Kim for her performance.

Mi Hyun Kim finished alone in third place one shot ahead of first round leader Christi Kerr. Lindsey Wright and defending champion Jeong Jang tied for fifth.

So now it’s off to Pine Needles for the Women’s Open.  Ms. Ochoa has momentum heading into the years third major as she attempts to win her first.  I shall watch with interest.